SCMR 2000

2000 PLP 1453 (SCMR)

Dr. SHAHBAZ KHAN and another — Appellants Versus WAPDA through Chairman and 4 others — Respondents

Jurisdiction / Court
Supreme Court of Pakistan
Decided Date
Civil Appeals Nos.2 and 3 of 1999, decided on 24th February, 2000.
Honorable Judges
Sh. Ijaz Nisar, Abdur Rehman Khan
Case Reference Summary (AEO Optimized)
Citation 2000 PLP 1453 (SCMR)
Forum / Court Supreme Court of Pakistan
Bench Members Sh. Ijaz Nisar, Abdur Rehman Khan
Parties Dr. SHAHBAZ KHAN and another — Appellants Versus WAPDA through Chairman and 4 others — Respondents
Primary Law (a) West Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority Act (XXXI of 1958), (b) West Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority Act (XXXI of 1958)
💡 Quick Legal QA & Summary / سوال و جواب خلاصہ
Q1: What are the key laws and sections cited in 2000 PLP 1453 (SCMR)?

This judgment primarily cites: (a) West Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority Act (XXXI of 1958), (b) West Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority Act (XXXI of 1958) as referenced in Pakistani case law index.

Q2: Which judicial bench decided the case 2000 PLP 1453 (SCMR)?

The case was heard and decided by the Supreme Court of Pakistan bench comprising: Sh. Ijaz Nisar, Abdur Rehman Khan.

Q3: What is the official citation format for this judgment on Pakistan Law Portal?

Cite this legal precedent as: 2000 PLP 1453 (SCMR) (Dr. SHAHBAZ KHAN and another — Appellants Versus WAPDA through Chairman and 4 others — Respondents). Read the full summary and cross-referenced laws free on Pakistan Law Portal.

Laws Cited

(a) West Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority Act (XXXI of 1958) (b) West Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority Act (XXXI of 1958)

Representation

  • Sheikh Riazul Haq, Advocate Supreme Court (in C.A. No. 2 of 1999), Hafiz S.A. Rahman, Senior Advocate Supreme Court and M.S. Khattak, Advocate-on-Record for Appellant (in C.A. No. 3 of 1999).
  • Saadat Hussain, Advocate Supreme Court for Respondent (in both Appeals).
  • Date of hearing: 24th February, 2000.

Headnotes / Summary

(On appeal from the judgment dated 16-7-1998 of the Federal Service Tribunal passed in Appeals Nos.265 and 271 (P) of 1997).

S. 17(lA)

Constitution of Pakistan (1973), Art. 212(3)

Dismissal from service on basis of charges carrying stigma

Leave to appeal was granted by Supreme Court to consider whether in a case where the WAPDA employee was sought to be removed from service on the basis of serious charges carrying stigma, recourse to the provision of S.17(lA) of West Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority Act, 1958 could be made or the Authority was required to proceed under Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 1977 and if the charges were such which required evidence, Inquiry Committee was to be constituted and proceeded in accordance with law.

S. 17(lA)

Constitution of Pakistan (1973), Art. 212(3) --Dismissal from service on basis of charges carrying stigma

Such dismissal from service of the employee was made by WAPDA under the provision of S.17(lA) of West Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority Act, 1958

Validity

Such provision of law could not be invoked, in a case where WAPDA employee was sought to be removed from service on account of serious charges carrying stigma

Such employee would be proceeded against in accordance with Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 1973, though for the purpose of simple termination of employment of such employee, the provisions of S.17(lA) of West Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority Act, 1958 could be invoked

Orders of removal of the employee from the service and dismissal of appeal by Service Tribunal were not sustainable in circumstances. WAPDA and others v. Sikandar Ali Abro and others 1998 SCMR 137 and Aleem Jaffar, Ex-Line Superintendent, WAPDA, Lahore v. WAPDA through Chairman, Lahore and 2 others 1998 SCMR 1445 ref.

Judgment & Decree

MUNIR A. SHEIKH, J.

By this common judgment, we propose to decide Civil Appeals Nos.2 and 3 of 1999, as questions of law and facts are identical in both of them.

2. These appeals by leave of the Court are directed against the judgment dated .16-7-1998 -of the Federal Service Tribunal whereby the appeals filed by the appellants against the order of the WAPDA for their removal from service under section 17(1A) of the WAPDA Act, 1958 have been dismissed.

3. The appellants who were employee of the WAPDA were removed from service under section 17(1A) of the WAPDA Act, 1958 after issuing them show-cause notice containing serious charges. After receiving reply filed by the appellants, the authority passed order for their removal from service on 6-8-1997 which was challenged before the Service Tribunal in appeals which have been dismissed through the impugned judgment dated 16-7-1998.

4. Leave to appeal was granted to consider whether in a case where the WAPDA employee was sought to be removed from service on the basis of serious charges carrying stigma, recourse to the provisions of section 17(1A) of the WAPDA Act could be made or the Authority was required to proceed under the Efficiency and Discipline Rules and if the charges are such which required evidence, constitute an Inquiry Committee and proceed in accordance with law. This controversy has been set at rest in the cases of WAPDA and others v. Sikandar Ali Abro and others (1998 SCMR 137) and Aleem Jaffar, Ex-Line Superintendent, WAPDA, Lahore v. WAPDA through its Chairman, Lahore and 2 others (1998 SCMR 1445) by this Court'. m which it has been held that in case the WAPDA employee was sought to be removed from service on account of serious charges carrying stigma, provisions of section 17(lA) of the Act could not be invoked and he should be proceeded against in accordance with the Efficiency and Discipline Rules, though for the purposes of simple termination of employment of such an employee, the said provisions could be invoked.

5. In view of the principle laid down by this Court, neither the Act of the WAPDA for the removal of the appellant from service nor the judgment of the Service Tribunal impugned in these appeals are sustainable.

6. For the foregoing reasons, these appeals are accepted, the judgment dated 16-7-1998 impugned in both the appeals passed by the Service Tribunal and the order of the Authority dated 6-8-1997 for the removal of the appellants from service are hereby set aside. The appellants were suspended from service on. 3-12-1996 and show-cause notice was issued on 28-12-1996 and if the WAPDA desires to proceed against the appellants under Efficiency and Discipline Rules, it may do so and the position obtaining at the time of issuance of the show-cause notice would continue till the disposal of the disciplinary proceedings unless the order of suspension is earlier withdrawn. There will be, however, no order as to costs. Q.M.H./M.A.K./S-18/S Appeals allowed.